Big jump in the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured

A BIG increase in the number of cyclists being killed or seriously injured on London roads was revealed today.

The number of fatalities increased from six to 10 last year, compared with the 2021 calendar year, while the tally of serious injuries rose from 862 to 989, a 15 per cent jump.

However, the total number of road deaths across Greater London fell from 96 to 75, a 22 per cent reduction and the lowest annual number on record. The reduction, which contrasts with a seven per cent increase nationally, was largely due to the pandemic lockdowns resulting in fewer journeys. Casualty data has started to increase since most restrictions ended in July last year.

Transport for London said there had been a 54 per cent increase in serious injuries to cyclists, compared with the 2004-9 “baseline”, against which progress on road safety is measured. It added the increase partly reflected the growth in popularity of cycling, with the number of road journeys made by bike almost doubling to four per cent.

Across all forms of transport, the number killed or seriously injured rose by 17 per cent, from 3,070 to 3,580. The figures, released today to mark the start of Vision Zero week, show that pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists accounted for 81 per cent of all people killed or seriously hurt on the capital’s roads last year.